Root Canal Treatment in Bakersfield
A root canal is a restorative dental procedure that relieves pain and gives an infected or abscessed tooth a second chance. At our dental office in Bakersfield, modern root canals are comfortable, efficient, and no different from any other dental procedure.
Root Canal Therapy
Deep inside your tooth, underneath enamel and dentin, is an area called the pulp chamber. This part of the tooth contains tissue and nerves that keep the tooth healthy, but pulp can become infected if bacteria enter the area through a fracture, deep decay, or trauma.
The most obvious sign of an infected tooth is a severe toothache, and the only solution to relieve the pain is to remove the infected pulp with root canal treatment.
What Happens During Root Canal Treatment?
Your comfort is our priority, so the first step is to administer a local anesthetic to numb the tooth to ensure that you feel no pain during the procedure. Once the anesthetic takes hold and we are sure the tooth is numb, our Bakersfield dentist creates an opening in the tooth to access the pulp area. We then carefully remove every trace of infected pulp, disinfect the area, and fill the area to prevent reinfection.
We allow the tooth to heal for about two weeks, then have you return to our office so we can take an x-ray and ensure the infection is gone. The final step is to place a tooth filling or a dental crown on the tooth to strengthen and protect it so you can chew comfortably again.
Do I Need a Root Canal?
If you are in Bakersfield and have been experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, call our office immediately. You may have a tooth infection that requires immediate treatment.
- Severe pain in one or more teeth
- Pain when touching the tooth
- Pain and sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Darkening of one or more teeth
- A raised bump on the gums
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums that may radiate to the cheek
Call our office to make an appointment to see if you need root canal therapy in Bakersfield so we can get you out of pain and save the tooth.
OUR TEAM
Dr. Wade Logan
With a passion for quality dentistry and a heartfelt commitment to his patients, Dr. Wade Logan has been a trusted name in Bakersfield dental care for over two decades. As a general dentist, Dr. Logan is dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming environment where every patient feels respected, cared for, and confident in their smile.
Dr. Logan began his journey in dentistry after being inspired by his father, an orthodontist in Glendora, California. While he admired the specialized nature of orthodontics, he was drawn to general dentistry for its ability to ...
Frequently Asked Questions
Root canals are not surgical procedures, and the recovery time is about the same as a tooth filling. Most people even say the procedure affects them less than a tooth filling! When you have a root canal, your endodontist specialist will clean and seal the tooth to remove any infection.
Root canal treatment takes about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the severity of your infection and the accessibility of your tooth’s canals. You should be able to drive or return to work right after your appointment.
Your endodontist will give you specific instructions for allowing your tooth to heal, but here are some general guidelines:
- Once the numbness wears off, you may feel some soreness or tenderness for a few days. Some people have a sore jaw after keeping it open for an extended period. Use over-the-counter pain reliever (like ibuprofen) to manage pain. If your endodontist prescribes a stronger medication, be sure to have someone drive you home or wait to take it until you’re home.
- You can eat after the numbness wears off, avoiding sticky or crunchy foods. If you have a temporary dental crown, it’s especially important to be careful about hard foods.
- Continue to brush and floss your teeth normally, though you may want to use care around the tender areas.
- Return to your dentist for your permanent restoration if instructed to do so.
Root Canal Treatment Technology
Rotary Endodontics
Rotary endodontics uses flexible precision instruments to improve root canal treatment outcomes and the patient experience. By using this advanced technology, the need for root canal retreatment is reduced, and the entire process takes less time.